At one time…
Summary: The past and present give us a clue into the future.
The phrase, “At one time…” is a beautiful way of beginning a story. It also provides us a clue into the nature of mankind. To think of one time being different from another requires a sense of perspective. A sense of perspective is only possible if one has a point of view. A point of view only exists if there is a sense of self.
In this one phrase, we find a clue that might explain why God chose to allow people to have free will. Before Adam and Eve touched the forbidden tree, they may not have had a sense of self. Their world was wrapped up in God’s presence. They were in total harmony with God’s will. They were at one with their Creator. Then the unthinkable happened. (Genesis 3)
Having disobeyed God, they died. Not physically as the serpent suggested (Genesis 3:4), but spiritually as God had warned (Genesis 3:17). Alone, without God’s presence, they became aware of self (Genesis 3:7).
Interestingly, if we as humans had never experienced separation from God, we could never fully appreciate God’s love for us. Like a fish in water, God’s love was all that Adam and Eve knew. Like a fish out of water, those of us who do not know Jesus Christ are gasping for God’s love and acceptance.
Having been desperate for God, even if we did not know it, we who have found salvation in Jesus are in awe of God’s love.
At one time, we are one with God. Sometime later, we were separated from God. Now, at this present time, we can be alive in God through Jesus Christ.
This sense of past separation from God and present union with God gives us hope. Hope that at some point very soon, we will be united with God for eternity. Can you imagine the wonder, awe, and amazement that we will feel when we find ourselves in heaven with our Creator? Can you imagine the joy in heaven that God’s creation has been redeemed?
Yes, God paid a terrible price for our redemption. Yet imagine the joy God feels at seeing his Creation redeemed!
Application: Consider who and what you were before knowing Jesus and look for the joy in your redemption.
Food for Thought: How do you imagine God feels about the price he paid for our redemption?
I think Jesus gave us a glimpse on the cross. In John 19: 30, John records Jesus’ words before He gave up His spirit. The Greek word is tetelestai. It is finished. Mission accomplished. Paid in full. They are redeemed.
Since that is what He was thinking about as He died on the cross, it shows He was thinking of us. That gives us a glimpse of how He feels about us.
Thank you, Rich!
The idea of “mission accomplished” also suggests that this was a long planned event. God’s redemption of his creation was not a casual or spontaneous affair.
How do you imagine God feels about the price he paid for our redemption?
The Bible tells us of the anguish Jesus went through in the garden of Gethsemane, we see God put the sun out for 3 hours, and then He displayed thunder, lightning and earthquakes as Jesus gave up His Spirit. This display of power filled a Roman Centurion with terror and awe, causing him to say, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Then we look at these verses again and we see access to God is opened to all who seek Him, tombs are opened, many bodies of God’s people, saints are raised to life and walk among the people in Jerusalem.
We also know Christ is the binding force holding all things together which means He could have just LET GO, and we would not be here now. But He did not!
Matthew 26:36-46, 27:45, 27:51-54, Colossians 1:16-17
If we continue reading, we see our Risen Savior walk the earth for 40 days, teaching, healing, preaching and physically demonstrating His conquering power over death. At the end of the 40 days, Jesus ascended into heaven so the Holy Spirit could come to earth to convict and empower all who respond in belief.
Matthew 28, Acts 1:6-12
Only God has power over sin, and only God could provide a way to freedom from sin. God chose redemption through Christ, a humble act of faith in His power being greater than ours as the only way we could receive His gift to us. God humbled Himself, confined Himself to a physical body as an example for all. This was all an act of Love from God to all mankind for our benefit, there is rejoicing in Heaven when someone is saved, so I think all in all God knew the price, knew only He could pay it, and because He is God, the price was something He was willing to pay for us.
Ephesians 2:8, Acts 13:13–52, Luke 15:10
Thank you, Ron.
I appreciate being reminded of Jesus’ role in Creation, and also sustaining his Creation. He could have just ‘let go,’ but he didn’t.
Amazing!
I am going out on a limb here and say that ever since Adam did what he did back in the garden,..God doesn’t feel anything at all,..He just did what He knew had to be done,..Christ knew where He was going all along,..they had it all planned probably even before Adam did what he did,..all I can say to that is,..thanks Adam for screwing things up,..I can imagine the garden was beyond what words can describe as beautiful before they got kicked out,..
Christ did the opposite of what Adam did,..Adam brought sin into the world but Jesus took it out,..Adam got kicked out of the garden but Jesus invites us back in,..Adam was clothed with skin from an animal but Jesus clothes us with garments of righteousness,..and the list goes on,..
So,..in my opinion I don’t think God felt anything since He is outside of His creation,..relieved that sin and death has been conquered,..would that be considered a feeling or just flat out victory from His accomplishment?
When I think about it,..I really can’t imagine how HE would feel since HE is God and I am a fininte human with limited understanding,..I can come up with words than may describe what He feels but there again what do I really know about how HE feels or even if HE does feel anything at all,..
John,
A very interesting perspective! Thank you for your comparison between Christ and Adam!